9/9/15- by Sami Lipp NATIONAL ROCK REVIEW- STONEBREED at The Token Lounge in Westland, MI on 04-Sep-2015

And finally, with curtains opening and a plume of smoke emitting from the stage,Stonebreed came on. This hard rock band from Los Angeles consists of Carlos Cruz (vocals), Brandon Paul (guitars), Johnny Zell (bass), and Orion Rainz (drums). Stonebreed has toured across the country, sharing the stage with bands including RATT, Cinderella, Uli Jon Roth, Warrant, Steel Panther, Saxon, Molly Hatchet, and a host of premiere musicians, including members of Dio, Sabbath, Bonham, Giuffria, W.A.S.P, Dokken, and more.

Playing hits like “Judgement Day,” “Whiskey Well,” “Miss Me”, “Back Home”, and many more, this band takes you back to the days of arena rock. Their sound is the perfect blend of good old rock n’ roll with a touch of Southern grit. They come complete with a charismatic front man with soaring vocals, a sizzling, a dynamic rock star of a guitarist, a bass player with hard-hitting grooves, and a thundering, heavy drummer. Stonebreed had high energy, great sound, and fantastic stage presence; the perfect mix for an amazing set. They are currently on tour, and their album, Stonebreed, is available on their website.

Very recently, our fearless leader Jeb Wright reviewed a new acoustic live album by an aging rock star (Frodo - Live At Hobbit High, I think it was). In it he asked the question "What the bleep has happened to rock and roll?"

It was then and there that I realized it was time to clue him (and you, dear reader) into the answer to that question which is, Stone-Fucking-Breed. Yes, I used the 'F' word. That's rock and roll and so is Stonebreed.

Based in Los Angeles, Stonebreed are a ubiquitous live fixture at legendary venues like the Viper Room and The Whiskey A Go Go where they've headlined and supported acts like Ratt, Bulletboys, Uli Jon Roth, LA Guns, Michael Schenker, UFO, Great White and host of others.

Promoting their latest album Heart Of Stone, the boys have been traveling the country playing gigs in Mississippi (where world class guitarist Brandon Paul also held a guitar clinic at Guitar Center), Missouri, Nebraska and Utah.

Heart of Stone is Stonebreed's second long-player but the first to feature the current and most potent lineup consisting of founding singer Carlos Cruz, guitar maestro Brandon Paul (who is singlehandedly blowing away the band's previous twin guitar attack), Bassist/musicologist Johnny Zell and drummer/actor Orion Rainz.

To say this unit clicks is an understatement. This album rocks with authority from the first of ten originals "The Highway" through a closing kick-ass rendition of "Train Train". Each track is a clinic on hard rock melodicism, compositional dynamics, inspired use of tone, lock-step bottomism and unbridled confidence.

Pardon the cliche's but Brandon Paul is possessed of MONSTER chops. He is a SHRED-MEISTER, a GOD OF THE SIX STRING, but he is more than that. He is incredibly versatile, melodic and obviously heavily musically trained when it comes to composition, dynamics and note choice.

It is small wonder that Brandon is a sought after instructor, providing Skype lessons for budding guitarists of all ages across the world, and his Tuesday night Facebook Live jams pull hundreds of viewers weekly.

Carlos Cruz wears his heart on his sleeve singing songs about the hard life with a gruff, knowing, southern rock tinged delivery that brings nothing but rock and roll authenticity.

The rhythm section of Johnny Zell and Orion Rainz make sure it all works. They lay down a bedrock that allows Brandon to do his thing without fear of ever sounding thin, but they can also get busy like they do in one of the album's best tunes "Pain".

I highly recommend checking this album out. Songs like "Faded Memories", the aforementioned "Pain" and "The Highway", along with the fine ballad "Except Me" and scary rippers like "Take Me" and "Living This Way" are radio friendly and perfectly crafted.

The album is docked half a letter grade for a couple of unfortunate lyrics ("She was born on the wrong side of the tracks..." (ugh), "She goes down you'd swear you was in heaven...(quadruple ugh), but hey, what's rock and roll without a cliche' mixed with a little misogyny?

STONEBREED‘Like a freight train through a hurricane,’ Stonebreed delivers hard rock with a southern twist. Debuting in 2013 with their self-titled album, Stonebreed offers a little something for everyone. ‘The people who like more heavy metal like the song ‘Break,’ and people who dig southern hard rock like ‘Last Dollar,’’ said Carlos Cruz, lead singer of Stonebreed. Their sets also include crowd pleasers ‘Whiskey Well,’ ‘Miss Me,’ slower tracks like ‘I’m Gone’ and country-influenced ‘Except Me.’ Stonebreed is hard at work on a next album, with a video and single expected to be released in the fall of 2015, and they continue to add dates to their ongoing tour. Stonebreed offers an interactive live show that feels like a non-stop rocking party, so be sure to check out the dates on their website and get on the guest list.

Stonebreed is one of the very best hard rocking bands we have in the Los Angeles area today – and they definitely brought the party to The Canyon Club in Agoura Hills on an otherwise sleepy SUNDAY night. Although most people in the audience were there the see the legendary headlinersY&T, Stonebreed had a good amount of fans in the crowd as well. There was no doubt Stonebreed left a lasting impression on those who were witnessing the music and mayhem for the very first time. Stonebreed was the perfect opener for Y&T, with both entities possessing timeless tunes that would envelope the bigger arenas of the past, present, and FUTURE.

One notices right away the super charismatic vocalist Carlos Cruz, bringing the lyrics to ultrasonic life – definitely a front man for the ages! The dual guitar assaults of Troy Elizondo and Brandon Paul were absolutely inspired, filling the room with a gigantic wall of sound. The rhythm section was busting it out with a ferocious sense of conviction, courtesy of bassist Johnny Zell and drummer Orion Rainz. The songs presented by this raging collective were INSTANTLY memorable, demonstrating a timeless across-the-board appeal. Last Dollar was a highlight, featuring Cruz and Company at their most explosive. A new song Pain was performed, clearly showing the band has some great material in STORE for us all in the months ahead. Another grand and glorious standout was the driving Good To Be Back Home, an exhilarating rock anthem that should be blared on radio airwaves all across the world.

Fans of Van Halen and Molly Hatchet are destined to discover a new favorite band in Stonebreed. With a stunning Self-Titled album in tow and more tunes on the way, Stonebreed is sure to captivate music fans of all ages. Their exhilarating live show is not to be missed! Be sure to catch Stonebreed the next time they show up to bring the party to your town.

2/15/18-Sonic Magazine-STONEBREED at M3 Live during NAMM week 2018

Photos by Joe Dolan

It’s always a pleasure to capture my brothers in Stonebreed when they’re on stage. They herald the years of MTV hard rock while bringing a refreshing modern show to stages around the nation. They released a full length album last September called “Heart of Stone,” and celebrated with a surprise performance as part of the annual Hollywood Cruefest that month – it’s a fundraiser put on by promoter Nick Culves.

The band finished last year with area shows in San Diego at the infamous Brick By Brick and rang in the new year with a trip to Las Vegas, then warmed the stage for the metal legends in Last In Lineduring the week of the NAMM show; performing at M3Live in Santa Ana, as you’ll see in the pictures below.It’s always a pleasure to capture my brothers in Stonebreed when they’re on stage. They herald the years of MTV hard rock while bringing a refreshing modern show to stages around the nation. They released a full length album last September called “Heart of Stone,” and celebrated with a surprise performance as part of the annual Hollywood Cruefest that month – it’s a fundraiser put on by promoter Nick Culves.

The band finished last year with area shows in San Diego at the infamous Brick By Brick and rang in the new year with a trip to Las Vegas, then warmed the stage for the metal legends in Last In Line during the week of the NAMM show; performing at M3Live in Santa Ana, as you’ll see in the pictures below.